To preface this blog, let me point out, yet again, that we think piracy is wrong. This blog is not a ‘how to’ session on copyright infringement, we don’t do that. This is more of an attempt to educate people that think in sentences that start with the word ‘just’.
“Just block the pirate bay” “Just make ISPs responsible” “Just do something”.
We’re not the only country looking for solutions and we’d have to be a brain-dead zombie to simply lurch along, ignoring the fate of those who went before. Let’s ask our elected representatives to learn from the experience of other jurisdictions and do that by examining the evidence; the actual, verified, empirical evidence of what works and what doesn’t.Read More!
Internet Privacy: Are Your Searches Really Anonymous?
Surfing the Internet, it’s easy to think that you are acting under a cloak of anonymity. Who’s to know if your search engine query includes the name of an ex-girlfriend, questions about a medical condition or even your own social security number? But as recent events have shown, the queries we type on search engines such as Google and Yahoo aren’t as private as many of us thought.
Search engines typically retain data search terms, and it is sometimes possible to match those terms to your computer’s unique Internet address -- and even to your name. What’s more, Internet users learned in 2013 that certain agencies in the U.S. government, including the National Security Agency, have obtained -- and even abused, according to a government panel -- access to incredibly detailed information about surfers’ online activity. This included, in some cases, the content of emails and chats.
Know Your Search Engine's Privacy Policy Privacy experts suggest that you need to understand what might happen to information about your search terms before you start searching. Many companies, such as Google and Yahoo, disclose their policies on their websites. Read them carefully.
Bear in mind, though, that both of these companies have discovered that the U.S. government was accessing data about their users without their knowledge or permission. So in this new era of surveillance, company terms of service can’t be considered the final word on your privacy.
Don't Assume Your Search Is Private It’s probably best to understand that it’s almost impossible to maintain 100 percent privacy all the time. However, you can take several steps toward making your Internet searches more anonymous, say privacy experts.
1. Think before you search If you know that your search engine keeps records of your searches, don't divulge secretive information in conjunction with your name. For example, many of us engage in a practice called "ego-surfing," in which we search for our name on the Internet. But people sometimes search for their full name, coupled with their Social Security numbers, says Paul Stephens of the non-profit Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. Although you might be trying to determine if you have become the victim of identity theft, the very act of searching for your name and social security number together can give a potential thief the keys to your kingdom if the search is ever revealed. You can accomplish the same goal without compromising your personal privacy, advises the World Privacy Forum, by using your name and just the last four digits of your Social Security number.
2. Don’t stick with one service Don’t sign up for a free email account with the same company you use for a search engine. There is the possibility that one company could pair data about your email address along with your search terms, privacy experts say. Keep your email on a separate service from your searches. And don’t use the same search engine all the time.
3. Shop around for search engines If you don't like the privacy policy of the search engine you’re using, switch to a different service.
4. Use tools to anonymize There are several sites that offer free software to keep your searches anonymous online. Tor, a non-profit software project, is one. You can download the software from TorProject.org. You’ll find another free service at Anonymouse.org. You can download a free trial of Anonymizer’s fee-based privacy software at Anonymizer.com.
5. Don't accept search engine cookies Websites often seek to place web cookies on your web browser. On the web, cookies are parcels of text that are used for authenticating users, tracking behavior on a website, or maintaining specific information about users, such as the fact that you like to read entertainment news instead of sports. Most browsers will let you refuse cookies. For example, if you use Firefox, go to Tools, click on Options, and you can refuse to accept cookies among your other privacy preferences.
Most of all, it’s important to understand that you have to be proactive to maintain a measure of anonymity -- but never assume that you’ve succeeded.
Read more: Cybercrime News: Internet Privacy: Are Your Searches Really Anonymous? | Your Security Resource http://www.yoursecurityresource.com/nortonisp/feature/emerging_threats/internet_privacy_while_searching/index.html#ixzz35imrDXmV
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